Skindred And Steel Panther - Manchester Apollo

British rock act Skindred are probably the perfect opening act for Steel Panther: they are loud, slightly over the top but still an enteraning live act. Lead singer Benji has total command of the audience from the opening number, Feel The Power. In their 40 minute slot they showcased all that was best about the band.

Playing the second of two sell out shows at the Apollo, Steel Panther have come a long way from playing way down the bill at the Download Festival in 2009.


The band are a parody of the 80's rock acts such as Van Halen and Motley Crue, musically though they are gifted musicians and although the songs are pastiches of the aforementioned acts, albeit with lyrics of a risqué nature, they still manage to put on a great live show.

Sheffield's Def Leppard and the other British rock legends, Iron Maiden play over the PA system before the band come on stage, showing where Steel Panthers music is deeply rooted. Billed as the All You Can Eat tour after the name of their latest album, the gig at one point became a self indulgent and slightly lewd when they invited several female fans up on stage but just before things got too out of hand, being the professionals that they are, they pulled it all back together again quicker than a flick of the fingers and it was straight into the next song.


The act might look like a parody but in reality they work together with excellent timing that has come from years of experience of being in a band together.

The songs are becoming rock standards with Party like Tomorrow Is the End of the World becoming their anthem. Drummer Stix Zadinia shows that there is more to him as he plays a grand piano for the track Kanye, whilst guitarist Satchel is a superb musician. Lead singer Michael Starr looks genuinely surprised at how well the band are received by the sell-out audience, whilst bass player Lexi Foxx now has a larger full length mirror to pose in and comb his hair between songs.


They saved their best tracks until the end with Eyes of a Panther, Death to All But Metal ending a triumphant gig. The encore of Community Property was largely sung in unison by the fans: it is the ballad that Bon Jovi never wrote. Confetti cannons sprayed the audience after what had been another great gig.